Peacefully with his family at his side, Renato Crognali, passed away at the age of 84.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife Gloria of 60 years, children Greg (Rosa), Jeff (Donna), Shauna (Chad) and grandchildren Jenessa (David), Alex, Ryan, Gillian and Hannah.
Rene touched the lives of everyone he met with his infectious smile, endless kindness and boundless energy.
Rene was born in Italy on April 8, 1939. A hard worker from an early age, during his younger years he tended sheep with his uncles in Piano Vomano. In 1958, he and his mom Theresa, sister Adele and brother Franco came to Canada. Life wasn’t easy but they worked hard and managed to build a happy life. Along the way Rene met the love of his life, Gloria, and in 1962 were married.
Rene had numerous jobs including working at the Royal Alexander Hotel and Dominion Stores before he learned to master the craft of baking. In 1969 Rene and Gloria bought the Beausejour Bakery. To this day, people still talk about Rene’s bakery and will tell you that he is the greatest baker that ever lived.
After his retirement in 1989, Gloria and Rene enjoyed many years of good health and happiness. They traveled, baked, curled, danced and fished together. They had countless nights of cards with the Crazy Eights and were known to be out until the wee hours of the morning.
Rene’s greatest joy was his grandchildren. Fondly known as Pops, he doted on them and was a huge part of their lives. Pops could always be found at every soccer game, gymnastics competition, piano recital, ringette game, graduation and more. Each grandchild had their own special relationship with Pops, and they absolutely adored spending time with him. One of Pops favorite passions was cheering on Ferrari in Formula One Racing.
Rene’s family will be hosting a funeral service Saturday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Avenue E., Beausejour.
In lieu of flowers, if firends and family so desire, donations may be made to Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3 or a charity of one’s choice.
Offer Condolence for the family of Renato (Rene) Crognali
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Sherry Pottie
Greg so sorry to hear about your dad
My condolences to you and your family. Prayers for you all
Randy Steinke
Deepest sympathy to the Crognali family!
Rene will be missed by all!
RIP Rene!
Joanne & Brian
Dear Gloria and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Susan Kaatz
Gloria and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Rene’s passing. Always had a smile and the time to have a chat. Keep your memories close.
Deepest condolences to you all.
Karen & Art Berry
Sorry to hear of Rene’s passing. Our condolences to his family.
Lyn Woligroski
So sad to hear this very sad news about Rene. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Gerald and Pamela Hawranik
We are very sorry to hear about Rene’s passing. Deepest sympathy to Gloria, Greg, Rosa, Jeff, Donna, Shauna, Chad and all the grandchildren. He will be missed not only by all of his family, but by our community. He touched the lives of all who knew him.
Pamela and I were thrilled to renew our acquaintance with him while attending Jenessa’s wedding in Toronto. We once again asked him to tell us his recipe for his famous orange twists, but to no avail. He shrugged and started to tell us that it starts with 100 pounds of flour, two dozen eggs and many gallons of milk. Unfortunately that was all we could squeeze out of him. He was very well regarded for his baking skills in our community, as we all know.
May God Bless and Comfort the Crognali family.
Donna Borkowsky
My deepest condolences Gloria, Greg, Jeff, Shauna and all the family. I had the honour to work for/with Rene at the one and only Beausejour Bakery. It was the best of times working for the best boss ever. He reinforced the values of dedicated work ethics, treating customers with appreciation and respect. In turn, he treated his employees the same way especially at Christmas when he and Gloria invited us into their home for a Christmas feast and the finest libation of choice for all. As I reflect, I appreciate those times even on the super hot days with the oven steaming the back area or having to glaze those famous orange twists by hand. I find myself often sharing the wonderful stories of that time.
Rest easy my friend, you will be sorely missed by so many in the community.
Ron and Val Chorney
Ron & I are very sorry to hear about Rene’s passing. We will miss him at our monthly birthday get togethers. Our condolences to you and your entire family.
Patricia Dansen
Dear Gloria and family,
We are in shock to hear the sad news. Sending you big hugs.
Patricia and Roy Dansen and family
Virginia Kubish
My deep condolences. Gloria. Greg, Jeff, Shauna and their families, upon the so sudden passing of Rene. He will be missed and remembered by ever so many for his friendly manner, smile, and of course his wonderful creations at the Bakery. Treasure all your wonderful memories that were made and you now have a special Angel watching over all of you. May he Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Harvey Giesbrecht
Gloria, Greg and family.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Rene.
When he worked for me we had fun, he always had a smile on his face. His timeless Ford Van is forever etched in my memory.
My prayers are with you.
Regards
Gail Kotowich
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing Greg. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Sincerely Gail ( formerly from Beau’s Taxi)
Lorraine Drewlo & Family
Shared the company of Rene & Gloria’s beautiful Family for many many years.
Sincere Sympathy to All The Crognali Family, Rene will be sorely missed. RIP
Miranda Romanyshyn
Gloria, Greg, Shauna, Jeff and family. My condolences on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. I worked for Rene in the bakery for many years. He was very hard working and a great boss. No matter when and where you saw him he always greeted you with a big Hello and a smile. Cherish all the great memories that you made together. You now have an angel watching over you.
Miranda (McKoluff) Romanyshyn
Gary O’Neill
Gloria, Greg, Jeff and Shauna our condolences to you and your families. We are so sorry to hear of your great loss.
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to reconnect with Gloria and Rene just a short time ago and the wonderful opportunity of meeting up for coffee or brunch. It meant so much to me.
Rene’s graceful smile will always be remembered.
Rene will be sadly missed and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
It is my prayer that almighty God will give you His peace as you journey through this difficult time.
Prayerfully yours
Gary & Melita O’Neill
Winnipeg
Bonnie and Perry Stefaniuk
Our sincere sympathy to Gloria, Greg & Rosa, Jeff & Donna, and Shauna & Chad, and all of the grandchildren. When Rene retired, I purchased his Paska pans, in the auction of the bakery supplies.
I have used those pans to make my own Paska, for the last 25-ish years. Just this Easter as I prepared the pans with my daughter, I was explaining that these are “real Paska pans” from Rene the Baker!!
May he rest in peace.
Lynette Kowalke
Dear Gloria and all your family,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Rene’s passing. He was so friendly and always happy to have a chat anytime we met. His bread and treats from his bakery were the best! We were happy to run into you and will fondly remember the nice little visit we had with you last summer at the lake.
May God Grant you comfort, strength and peace.
In sympathy, Len & Lynette Kowalke
Olga Relf
So sad to hear of Rene’s passing He was always smiling and enjoyed visiting and the (long Jones) he baked will always be remembered by our family .Gloria my heart goes out to you at this difficult time and to your family. May your family and friends gather around you and bring comfort and peace to you all sincerely Olga Relf
Sonia Pankratz Wieler
Shauna, Chad and Hannah; I am so sorry for your loss. My thought and prayers are with you.
Shelley Marion
Gloria and family, please accept my sincere condolences for Rene’s passing. I enjoyed working with him at the funeral home, he always had a sparkle in his eye, and a smile on his face. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Darrell and Pat Bakstad
Our deepest condolences to you Gloria and your family. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Elaine Klann, née Rach
Sending you my condolences to Gloria and the family. I am sorry for your loss.
Tammy Ryan (Sobetski)
Sincere condolences to the family. I am saddened to hear of Rene’s passing. I have fond memories of him, my dad and I fishing at Gem Lake. It was so much fun with him. One time I “out-fished” the two of them and got bored, so, I tied fishing line to a 3 foot stick. Rene couldn’t believe it when I was still catching fish (not just small ones but keepers)! I was young and not strong enough to pull this one fish in so Rene put down his rod to help me. Well when he did he suddenly got a bite but was busy helping me that his rod went overboard. We had a great laugh.
Rene, thank you for the memories. I hope you and dad get to go fishing.
Christine Singbeil
Rene, was one in a million. He hired me when I was 16. He taught me how to work hard and work right the first time.
Sometimes he would talk about growing up in Italy. Rene was the hardest working man I ever knew next to my own dad. The Crognali family treated everyone with respect. I was lucky to have learned from Rene. He truly was the best baker. When things were rough he would send me home with extra treats for my girls. They still talk about his goodies and his kindness. I am a better person because of Rene. He will always have a special place in my heart. I can honestly attest Rene loved his family. Gloria, his children and grandchildren were everything to him. We are never ready to say goodbye, my grandma used to say, its not goodbye, its till we meet again.
Tony Magnifico
Gloria….our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. From Tony Magnifico & family
Gina
Our deepest sympathies to Greg, Rosa, and the rest of the Crognali family. We are so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs!
Gina, Rick, and Julianna Nolletti
Jack and Toy Heemskerk
Dear Gloria, Greg, Shauna, Jeff and family,
We were shocked to learn of Rene’s unexpected and sudden passing! Just days ago I wished him a happy birthday and saw Greg’s post with a picture of Rene sitting next to his birthday cake, looking fit and happy. Jack and I are so sorry for your loss. We’ve been gone from Canada for many years now, but we did occasionally meet up again whenever we were there. We remember Rene as always being in good spirits, a man with a zest for life for whom the cup was always half full. We wish Gloria and all of the family strength to cope with this terrible loss and hope you may find some solace in all the memories you carry in your heart.
Cindy Fosty
Gloria and family. My sympathies on the loss of Rene. My prayers are with you all.
Wendy Lidster
Gloria, Greg, Rosa, Jeff, Donna, Shauna, Chad and all the grandchildren. Our whole family was shocked and saddened to hear of Rene’s passing. He truly was one in a million! He will be missed by everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With our heartfelt sympathy, Robert and Wendy and family. ❤
Mildred & Wilf Betker
To my dear sister, Gloria, her children & their spouses and grandchildren,
We were deeply saddened to learn of Rene’s passing. A limb has fallen from the family tree that says,
“Greive Not For Me”. Remember the best times we had, the laughter, the joy, the family gatherings, and the good life I lived when I was strong. Let your tears fall like rain, then release this deepened pain. The clouds will disapate and the sun will shine. God will give you special strength and energy to start a new chapter in your lives as you continue on with your journey in life.
We wish you comfort, and peace to face the days ahead.
Daren Reiter
Our deepest condolences to you Gloria and your family. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Truly was a man that left a positive impression on you no matter the interaction. Will be missed.
Love Daren & Crystal Reiter
Cheryl & Bob Shaw
Dear Gloria, Greg, Jeff, Shauna and families,
We are very sorry to hear of Rene’s sudden passing. Bob and I will miss our little visits as we walked down our road. Sometimes it was you and Rene in your vehicle (thanks for going slow and not ‘dusting’ us) or just Rene walking out to see us and chat as we went by on our morning walks. We will miss his cheerful hellos and friendly waves. May he rest in peace. Keep his memories close in your hearts.
Sincerely
Bob and Cheryl Shaw
Nenette Sytsma Korf
Big hug to you all this will be a big missing in the family he loved you all and was a proud father and grandfather our sympathy for your loss Arjen and Nenette Sytsma I
Ron Obodzinski
We are very sad to hear of Rene’s sudden passing. Maria’s parents Michelle and Teresa often spoke of the wonderful bread they would pick up. Of course meeting a fellow Italian was a bonus! Seeing Rene at church a few weeks ago, with his friendly smile is ever lasting. To all family our deepest condolences .
Michelle & Teresa Melillo, Maria & Ron Obodzinski.
Rita Myrchak
Greg, so sorry to hear the sad news about your Dad. Our condolences to you and your family.
Annie and Doede Sytsma
Dear family,
So sad to hear, the passing of René!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deepest condolences.
Darrel and Tammy Krebs
Our deepest condolences to you Gloria and family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Helene DeKezel
Our condolences to Gloria, Greg, Shauna, Jeff & the Crognali families. We were saddened to hear of Rene’s passing. He may be gone but we shall always remember him especially at the Bakery… cinnamon buns, his famous “orange twists”… I could never walk past the Bakery & not stop in. He was a character…full of life..he was part of our bowling family for many years. May God bless you dear friend & May he grant you eternal life. R.I.P.
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Crognali family at this time
Lou & Helene Savisky.
Connie and Paul krawchuk
It saddened us to hear of Rene’s passing. Our condolences to you Gloria and all your family. Rene always had a smile for everyone and a happy greeting. May your memories help you at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Lance & Cindy Wadelius
Our condolences go out to the Crognali family. Rene was a well liked and popular business owner and personality in his community always volunteering an opinion with a smile that was contagious. Your many memories will keep him close in your hearts.
Lucia
We are so sorry for such a big loss. We would like to express our condolences to all your family members.
Even being far away we will be with all of you in our hearts, soul and minds.
Lucia & Fernando
Janice Cameron
Gloria, Jeff, Greg and Shauna were so very sorry for your loss.
Rene was the best Baker ever.
He was always funny and kind.
My deepest condolences, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Gloria.
Sincerely The Cameron Family.
Trevor Krawchuk
Mr. Crognali was all I ever called him. He always treated me with respect and kindness, no matter how old I was, and it made me feel important. Skipping class and off to the bakery; the aroma when you opened the door; and his smile. So sorry Greg and to all the family. A class act and huge heart.